Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers

High handicap players often need forgiving fairway wood that provide easy to hit sweet spot and launch the ball high into the air and can help them when they struggle with their driver. Hitting longer approach shots into par-4 and par-5 holes may also be a necessity if you are a player that struggles generating distance. High handicappers can hit these shots often with shorter shaft loft options and custom lie angle. These fairway wood models all help maximize your swing speed, easier to hit and keep the golf ball exactly where you want it.

We golf course tested and fully reviewed all of the fairway woods in these guides, and wrote them just for you to help you to make the right choice for fairway woods for a high handicapper. Which golf fairway wood is better for high handicapper than other clubs, read take a look and let us know what you think!

9.8
Mizuno ST-Z Fairway

Mizuno ST-Z Fairway

A throwback profile – with curves for the purist and performance for the pragmatist. Mizuno's 3rd generation MAS1C face ...
$299.95
9.8
Srixon ZX Fairway

Srixon ZX Fairway

In the long run, versatility is priceless. In terms of distance and speed, ZX Fairway Woods are unbeatable, providing ...
$149.99
9.6
Tour Edge Exotics C721 Fairway Wood

Tour Edge Exotics C721 Fairway Wood

Dual Carbon wings help optimize CG for an extremely high M.O.I. that increases stability on impact. 10g adjustable ...
$138.99
9.5
Ping G425 SFT Fairway

Ping G425 SFT Fairway

In the G425 fairway woods and hybrids, two shared PING innovations known as Facewrap Technology and Spinsistency ...
$219.99
9.5
Titleist TSI2 Fairway Wood

Titleist TSI2 Fairway Wood

The TSi2 Fairway Wood brings high launch, incredible speed, and forgiveness to the course. It features faster ball ...
$279.99

Top 10 Best Fairway Woods

Mizuno ST-Z Fairway

ST-Z woods combines a throwback profile with the MAS1C face, Mizuno’s most powerful to date. This balanced approach to low spin performance and stability is unique to fairway woods. More weight will gain lower spin and lower launch for most golfers. Both the 3 wood and 5 wood feature an adjustable hosel to offer 4 degrees of loft and face angle variation.

Features optimized CORTECH multi-face thickness, delivering Mizuno’s thinnest and hottest Fairway face yet. Lower Center of Gravity for better spin vs MOI performance. Compact Wave design lowers mass for enhanced MOI and lower Center of Gravity. One of the fastest fairway woods that provide more distance.

Srixon ZX

The ZX Woods were created with one goal in mind: to be fast. Srixon’s innovative Rebound Frame Technology helps the ZX Woods create greater speed and distance. Often used as driver replacement with higher loft for higher launch angle and high trajectory. Rebound Frame Technology works by overlaying alternate zones of flexibility and rigidity that work together to concentrate more energy into the ball when it hits the ground. As a result you get other features as ball speed and distance off the tee have risen.  By focusing more energy into the golf ball, Rebound Frame’s unique structure increases ball speed and distance on every shot, especially center-face impacts. It have graphite shaft option. Game improvement clubs for many golfers. Often used by faster swingers and golfers with better skill levels.

9.8/10 Read review
Last Amazon price update was: April 15, 2024 12:54 pm
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Tour Edge Exotics C721 Fairway Wood

For those who want more accurate flight control and amazing speed. This is the right fairway wood for them. The new SureFit CG Track Technology allows for improved CG adjustability, as well as the new Active Recoil Channel 4.0, which produces a consistently higher, faster launch. I recommend the Tour Edge Exotics C721 Fairway to everyone who believes in technology and wants to improve their game off the tee. Many beginners enjoy using this clubs different technologies which hep them achieve better swings with less effort.

9.6/10 Read review
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Ping G425 SFT Fairway

thumbnail of G425 SFT fairway sole view

The PING G425 SFT fairway wood is a high-launching, forgiving fairway club that reigns in the right miss. If you are PING fan and fan of good distance which most high handicappers are this is the club for you. The PING G425 SFT fairway wood was instrumental in virtually eliminating the right side of the golf course. Can help you avoid a right miss (if you’re a right-handed golfer), but it can also lead to a draw. That’s what the toe side gear effect is all about.

For almost any player, the PING G425 SFT fairway club can help them remove one side of the golf course. The ball rises rapidly and straight on practically every blow with the club face because to its maximum forgiveness and effortless launch qualities. This fairway have nice price tag.

9.5/10 Read review
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Titleist TSI2 Fairway Wood

Titleist TSI2 Fairway Wood

The Titleist TSi2 fairway delivers a superb combination of good distance and forgiveness that players of all handicap levels should consider. Steady performance to be reassuring, and the appearance to be unbeatable. 

ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium in face creates a straight, long shots, stylish and incredible sounding driver. Face delivers higher ball speed at every point of contact. The right fairway woods for those who want speed and good distance.

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TaylorMade Sim2 Max D Fairway Wood

With the TaylorMade SIM Max-D Fairway, you can get a combination of explosive distance and forgiveness. The V SteelTM sole has been redesigned to provide precise and consistent turf engagement while also increasing versatility from any lie. The SIM Max-D, which comes with draw-biased technology, uses revolutionary twist face technology curvature with corrective face angle on off-center blows to reduce side spin and improve accuracy. Lift the ball off the ground nicely and are great for fairway play better than other woods. Composite carbon crown for highly forgiving ability and better energy transfer. At impact, a Speed Pocket flexes, generating amazing ball speed off the face for improved player performance. This model don’t have small sweet spot like some other options from TaylorMade which many high handicappers like it. These are modern clubs with more loft for maximize distance and high ball flight. Speed pocket innovation can be found only in TaylorMade clubs. Avid golfer and mid handicapper gain lot of performance using these clubs.

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Cobra Radspeed Tour Fairway

The RADSPEED Tour Fairway Wood features a compact profile with extreme front-biased Radial Weighting for low spin, launch and maximum workability. The extreme front-biased weighting system delivers the lowest center of gravity and ultra low spin for extremely fast ball speed in a lower, penetrating trajectory. New carbon fiber material in the crown construction is 30% thinner and 6g lighter, allowing for more flexibility to push weight towards the front for lower spin and fast ball speed. Highly forgiving club offers aerodynamic design and faster swing. The CNC milled face is nearly 5x more precise and produces the most consistent face thickness. Even though it might have some similarities with cobra f max offset hosel model this is more for high handicap and f max more for low handicappers.

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Callaway Epic Max Fairway

The Epic MAX features an oversized head shape with a shallower face and lower leading edge to make this Callaway Fairway Wood easy to launch. A new Jailbreak A.I. Velocity Blades system and triaxial carbon crown not only stiffens the body, but increases stability in the horizontal and torsional directions for higher ball speeds, straighter shots and easier launch. High strength C300 Maraging Steel offers exceptional strength and flexibility, and is paired with Face Cup technology for speed and consistency. The one if you want get the ball high in the air. Every model and face is uniquely designed using advanced A.I., a technique proven to enhance ball speed on center and off-center hits. It have graphite shaft option. One of the top fairway woods used also by mid handicappers who want best results, forgiveness and distance.

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Price history
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Price history for Callaway Epic Speed 3 Wood (Left-Handed, Cypher 40G, Ladies)
Latest updates:
  • $94.49 - April 12, 2024
  • $80.09 - March 30, 2024
  • $94.49 - March 26, 2024
Since: March 26, 2024
  • Highest Price: $94.49 - March 26, 2024
  • Lowest Price: $80.09 - March 30, 2024
Last Amazon price update was: April 15, 2024 2:00 pm
× Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com (Amazon.in, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, etc) at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Callaway Big Bertha B21 Fairway

Callaway’s Big Bertha B21 Fairway Woods come with a shallow face, progressive lengths and an oversized Bertha shape to promote consistent contact and smoother turf interaction. The increased offset cuts down on your slices and promotes straighter ball flight and better distance. The advanced A.I. designed Flash Face SS21 and jailbreak technology delivers faster speed across a wider face area.

Jailbreak technology bars connect the crown and sole, increasing stiffness and promoting more speed. Shallower face, progressive lengths, less twisting and oversized Bertha shape make club easier to hit like with alignment aids. New RCH shaft and Active Tip Flag section good option for easy to launch and distance pros. For most higher handicappers and newer golfers this is great option right club. Also it is not so expensive option if you want to improve your second shot or better attack the long par.

Cobra Radspeed Big Tour Fairway

The RADSPEED Big Tour Fairway Wood is constructed with a slightly oversize club design, larger head face square good for energy transfer and longer distances, front-biased internal weighting and external RADIAL weighting for low center of gravity, spin and faster speeds. This is the right one fairway if you want easy to hit sweet spot and easy to launch. Here is a closer look why this club is a good choice. Great club from the short rough. An extremely front weighted club featuring 16g of weight in the front and 7g in the back to create ultra low spin, faster ball speed and low penetrating ball flight. New modern materials like carbon fiber material in the crown is 30% thinner and 6g lighter for more flexibility to move weight towards the front, lowering spin and increasing speed. Great for approaching greens with high launch. The CNC milled face is nearly 5 times more precise and produces more consistent face thickness great for off center strikes. Stiffer shaft will help those with steeper swing gain great distance.

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When Do You Use A Fairway Wood?

when to use a fairway wood

The following fairway woods are the best we have tested based on the unique strengths and characteristics of each model for high handicapper. Their overall playability, distance, accuracy, and forgiveness help make them a welcome addition to the golf bags of amateur golfersand high handicappers. Your specific needs like high handicapper, in these clubs will vary and this guide will provide you with information that can make purchasing your new club simple and straightforward. So these are the best fairway woods for high handicappers down below.

Fairway woods are some of the most versatile clubs in your bag. They can be used on the tee box, from the fairways, from the rough, or for chipping around the greens on tight lies. The multipurpose functionality of these clubs is what makes them so important in your set but also tricky to fit effectively. First you need to learn to hit fairway woods than hybrid. They are the best tool for high handicappers. High handicappers tend to flex their lead wrists and FEELING like other golfer so these golf clubs are made for beginners and high handicappers.

Finding the Best Fairway Wood for Your Golf Game

Your ideal fairway wood will depend on how you use this club. Some golfer will use their fairway woods as driver replacements and always strike the ball from a tee. There are few important aspects when buying fairway woods for beginners. Other players prefer their driver and will only need their fairway woods when coming into longer par-4s or par-5 holes. Depending on the length of the golf course you play, you may have to use your fairway wood in multiple situations. Choosing a fairway wood from quality materials that is tailored to your needs can help make golf easier. Beginners also will want bigger sweet spot for cleaner contact and improve their low short shot. Since the majority of high handicappers struggle with hitting the ball high and straight and their slower swing speed, with game improvement fairway woods that problem will be solved.

head shape
There many head sizes. Source 2ndswing.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Club fitting can be a difficult process, we have provided some common questions and answer to help simplify your experience. 

Q: Driver vs Fairway Woods: What is the Difference?

A: The biggest differences between a driver and a fairway woods are its head size, loft, and design of purpose. All fairway woods are made with beginners and high handicappers in mind. Drivers are almost exclusively used on the teeing ground. Since many of them are well over 400cc, drivers are extremely difficult to hit off the ground, even if they have close to the same loft as a fairway wood. Drivers feature large surface areas with larger sweet spot and provide more forgiveness when the golf ball is resting on a tee, a strike on the precise sweet spot will produce the optimal shot. Fairway woods are designed with smaller heads and lower profiles, which allow players (beginners and high handicappers) to hit the ball from the fairway, rough, and fairway bunker as well as a tee. 

Q: What is the Difference Between a 3 Wood and a 5 Wood (3 Wood vs 5 Wood)?

A: In general, 3-woods will have slightly less loft and a longer shaft length. Depending on your golf swing and swing speed, the distances these two clubs produce can be the same or very different. Do not be afraid to test both options to see which suits you better. 

Q: What is the Difference Between a Fairway Wood and a Hybrid? (Fairway Wood vs Hybrid)?

A: Hybrids are designed with the clubface similar to an iron. These smaller bodied clubs excel at striking the golf ball from various lies around the golf course and that is a big help for high handicappers . Fairway woods and hybrids can have the same loft but may travel different distances depending on your comfort level and abilities. 

Q: How Do I Hit a Fairway Wood?

A: Since fairway woods designed as the longest club you will attempt to hit from the ground, they can be challenging. To help you get the most from your swing speed, easier to hit try pushing your ball position slightly forward of center. Attempt to sweep the sole of the golf club along the top of the turf and into the back of the golf ball. If you are still struggling to hit your wood solidly, increasing the loft or shortening the shaft can help. Better contact with more loft can produce more distance when fit correctly. 

What Fairway Wood Should You Buy?

Choosing a golf fairway wood is a process of trial and error. Some commonalities exist between models and player profiles that help each golfer narrow their choices. Investing in quality club is great idea but it take time and effort at the same time. The best way to know which club is best for you is to try several options and monitor your performance with each. How to Choose the Best Fairway Woods for High Handicappers?

Knowing when you plan to use your fairway wood(s) most often will help you make your buying decision. Forgiving fairway woods that act as driver replacements may need to be smaller headed and lower spinning. Larger, higher launching fairway wood may be perfect in higher lofts for clubs that will be used to approach greens or keep you in play on narrow holes. Good aerodynamic design with high MOI and large sweet spot can help you at long par. Some will need club with extra backspin of highly forgiving.

Getting the fairway wood correct can be a tedious process but it is well worth the effort. Good fairway woods often become a mainstay golf equipment in golfer’s bags when they find one they really like. They are often light weight produce high ball airborne and off center hits lifts. Many of them will have adjustable weights or weight mass pads. Even many PGA Tour players will play fairway woods several years old because of their comfort level with the club. Test anything that you enjoy the look of behind the golf ball and when you find something that fits you compliment it with a shaft and grip you love. Thanks for reading and happy testing!

 

Paul Liberatore
Paul Liberatore

As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast both on Apple and Spotify talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry. 

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